Light modulating device

Abstract

An elementary light-modulating device comprises a light-modulating cell, and other components. The light modulating cell comprises a first transparent electrode, a second electronically conductive electrode, and at least one layer of electrolytic material interposed between the two electrodes and in contact with them in the region of a picture element. The electrolytic material comprises a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, of at least a water-soluble salt of at least one metal cathodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, an initially water-soluble film forming polymer resin, and water. The electrolytic material has ionic conductivity and a deformability, and can be formed in layers. The cell further comprises electrical connection zones for conducting electrical current to the electrodes. In addition to the cell, the device comprises electrical current leads in contact with electrical connection zones, electrical connections extending the current leads, and at least one mechanical substrate supporting the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An elementary light-modulating device for production of a picture element, comprising: A) a light-modulating cell, comprising: 1) a first electrode, transparent or substantially transparent and electronically conducting;   2) a second electrode, spaced transversely from the first electrode and electronically conducting;   3) a layer of material having ionic electroconductivity, in contact with and interposed between the first and second electrodes, comprising (a) a hydrosoluble salt or a hydrosoluble mixture of salts of at least one metal which can be catodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, (b) at least one initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin, (c) water, and (d) an auxiliary redox couple; the constituents (a), (b), (c) and (d) selected in a group allowing plastic or visco-elastic deformability;   4) means for ensuring mechanical and structural cohesion and integrity of the cell;   5) means for ensuring permanence of internal electrical contacts between the first electrode, the material, and the second electrode;   6) spacer means to maintain the first and second electrodes spaced transversely from each other; and   7) electrical connection zones on the first and second electrodes;     B) electrical current leads in contact with the electrical connection zones;   C) electrical connections extending from the electrical current leads;   D) means of electrical insulation associated with the electrical leads and connections;   E) means of masking a periphery of the picture element; and   F) means of contrasting the periphery of the picture element.   
     
     
       2. An elementary light-modulating device for production of a picture element, comprising: A) a light-modulating cell, comprising: 1) a first electrode, transparent or substantially transparent and electronically conducting;   2) a second electrode, spaced transversely from the first electrode and electronically conducting;   3) a layer of material having ionic electroconductivity, in contact with and interposed between the first and second electrodes, comprising a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, comprising (a) a hydrosoluble salt or a hydrosoluble mixture of salts of at least one metal which can be catodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, (b) at least one initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin, (c) water, and (d) an auxiliary redox couple; the constituents (a), (b), (c), (d) selected in a group allowing simultaneously plastic or visco-elastic deformability, adhesion properties and substantial rigidity properties;   4) Electrical connection zones on the first and second electrodes;     B) electrical current leads in contact with the electrical connection zones;   C) electrical connections extending from the electrical current leads; and   D) at least one mechanical substrate supporting the elementary device.   
     
     
       3. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is transparent or substantially transparent. 
     
     
       4. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode is supported by a transparent substrate. 
     
     
       5. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the device further includes a mechanical supporting substrate. 
     
     
       6. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the device further includes means of insulation and means of mechanical protection. 
     
     
       7. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is opaque. 
     
     
       8. The elementary device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is partly transparent or substantially transparent and partly opaque. 
     
     
       9. An independent device for modulating light, comprising: A) a light-modulating cell, comprising: 1) a first electrode, transparent or substantially transparent and electronically conducting;   2) a second electrode, spaced transversely from the first electrode and electronically conducting;   3) a layer of material having ionic electroconductivity, in contact with and interposed between the first and second electrodes, comprising a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, comprising (a) a hydrosoluble salt or a hydrosoluble mixture of salts of at least one metal which can be catodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, (b) at least one initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin, (c) water, and (d) an auxiliary redox couple; the constituents (a), (b), (c), (d) selected in a group allowing plastic or visco-elastic deformability;   4) means for ensuring mechanical and structural cohesion and integrity of the cell;   5) means for ensuring permanence of internal electrical contacts between the first electrode, the material, and the second electrode;   6) spacer means to maintain the first and second electrodes spaced transversely from each other; and   7) electrical connection zones on the first and second electrodes;     B) electrical current leads in contact with the electrical connection zones;   C) electrical connections extending from the electrical current leads;   D) means of electrical insulation associated with the electrical leads and connections;   E) means of masking a periphery of the picture element; and   F) means of contrasting the periphery of the picture element;   2) an extension up to at least one connector or electrical connection zone of the electrical connections of the elementary light-modulating device; and   3) mechanical supporting means providing the independent device with structural rigidity.   
     
     
       10. An independent device for modulating light, comprising: 1) a plurality of elementary modulating devices, each comprising:   A) a light-modulating cell, comprising: 1) a first electrode, transparent or substantially transparent and electronically conducting;   2) a second electrode, spaced transversely from the first electrode and electronically conducting;   3) a layer of material having ionic electroconductivity, in contact with and interposed between the first and second electrodes, comprising a homogeneous mixture of solid consistency, comprising (a) a hydrosoluble salt or a hydrosoluble mixture of salts of at least one metal which can be catodically deposited from an aqueous solution of one of its simple or complex ions, (b) at least one initially hydrosoluble film-forming polymer resin, (c) water, and (d) an auxiliary redox couple; the constituents (a), (b), (c), (d) selected in a group allowing plastic or visco-elastic deformability;   4) means for ensuring mechanical and structural cohesion and integrity of the cell;   5) means for ensuring permanence of internal electrical contacts between the first electrode, the material, and the second electrode;   6) spacer means to maintain the first and second electrodes spaced transversely from each other; and   7) electrical connection zones on the first and second electrodes;   B) electrical current leads in contact with the electrical connection zones;   C) electrical connections extending from the electrical current leads;   D) means of electrical insulation associated with the electrical leads and connections;   E) means of masking a periphery of the picture element; and   F) means of contrasting the periphery of the picture element;     2) an extension up to at least one connector or electrical connection zone of the electrical connections of the elementary light-modulating device; and   3) mechanical supporting means providing the independent device with structural rigidity.   
     
     
       11. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the device comprises a substrate common to at least a part of the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       12. The independent device according to claim 11, wherein the substrate is transparent and supports at least a part of the electrodes of the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       13. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device further includes a casing. 
     
     
       14. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device further includes means of protection. 
     
     
       15. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device further includes a printed circuit board used as transfer relay for the electrical connections. 
     
     
       16. The independent device according to claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a substrate or mechanical supporting means. 
     
     
       17. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein a first electrode is common to at least a part of the plurality of the elementary devices. 
     
     
       18. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein a second electrode is common to at least a part of the plurality of the elementary devices. 
     
     
       19. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein a layer of the material is common to at least a part of the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       20. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the electrical connections are common to at least a part of the plurality of the elementary devices. 
     
     
       21. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrodes are distributed according to a surface pattern, the electrodes and the layers of the material each being common to the plurality of the elementary devices. 
     
     
       22. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the second electrodes are distributed according to a surface pattern, the first electrodes and the layers of the material each being common to the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       23. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrodes and the layers of material are distributed according to coordinated surface patterns, the second electrodes being common to the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       24. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the second electrodes and the layers of material are distributed according to coordinated surface patterns, the first electrodes being common to the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       25. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrodes and the second electrodes are distributed according to coordinated surface patterns, the layers of material being common to the plurality of elementary devices. 
     
     
       26. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the first electrodes, the second electrodes and the layers of material are distributed according to three coordinated surface patterns. 
     
     
       27. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the elementary devices belong to one alphanumerical seven-segment character and have separate second electrodes, each belonging to a cell,   a common first electrode, and   collective electrical connection zones for current supply to the common first electrode, comprising three long and thin contours surrounding the respective segments, inside and at least partially outside.   
     
     
       28. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the elementary devices belong to one alphanumerical seven-segment character and have separate second electrodes, each belonging to a cell,   a common first electrode, and   collective electrical connection zones for current supply to the common first electrode, comprising a regular distribution of dots in same regions.   
     
     
       29. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the elementary devices belong to one alphanumerical seven-segment character and have separate second electrodes, each belonging to a cell,   a common first electrode,   collective electrical connection zones for current supply to the common first electrode, comprising three long and thin contours surrounding the segments, respectively inside and at least partially outside, and a regular distribution of dots in same regions.   
     
     
       30. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein several the elementary devices are arranged in a matrix and have first electrodes in strip form common to elementary devices of one column of the matrix, the electrical connection zones specific to a strip being arranged in the form of linear sections perpendicular to the strip and located on either side of each elementary device at a distance equal to half the distance separating two adjacent elementary devices in the strip, the electrical connection zones of the strip being electrically connected to each other by a collecting conductor, in the form of a line or tape parallel to the strip, selected in a group consisting of metallic conductors and conductive inks, lacquers and pastes. 
     
     
       31. The independent device according claim 30, wherein the matrix of elementary devices comprises a periodic repetitive distribution of a group of three layers of the material, each colored according to the primary colors of the triad, enabling additive synthesis of colors. 
     
     
       32. The independent device according to claim 23, wherein the coordinated surface patterns are identical. 
     
     
       33. The independent device according to claim 10, wherein the dimensions and locations of the elementary cells are constructed and determined by superposition of three coordinated patterns of first electrodes, layers of material, and second electrodes. 
     
     
       34. The independent device according to claim 19, wherein the shape, size and position of a picture element is determined by an intersection of three coordinated surface patterns of first electrodes, layers of material, and second electrodes. 
     
     
       35. The independent device according to claim 19, wherein a layer of masking and contrasting material occupies an area at least equal to an area not occupied by the layers of material and by the electrical connections zones. 
     
     
       36. The independent device according to claim 35, wherein the layer of masking and contrasting material, having properties of mechanical protection, insulation and adhesion, extends to a peripheral border or ring of the second electrodes. 
     
     
       37. The independent device according to claim 16, wherein the substrate is parallel and secured to the printed circuit board by means of a joint made in silicone elastomers. 
     
     
       38. The independent device according to claim 15, wherein electrical connection between a current lead and a corresponding conductor of the printed circuit board is obtained by means of an electrically conductive jumper, having one end folded onto the conductor, engaged into a hole of the board in line with the current lead until it reaches its contact, maintained and associated with the contact and with the conductor by means of a conductive ink, lacquer or paste or equivalent. 
     
     
       39. The independent device according to claim 15, wherein electrical connection between a current lead and a corresponding conductor of the printed circuit board is produced by means of an electrical connection sleeve extending the conductor into a hole of the board in line with the current lead, into which a drop of conductive ink, lacquer or paste or equivalent is inserted, which drop comes into contact with the lead, forming a conductive bridge between the lead and the sleeve. 
     
     
       40. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the current leads are made by means of a conductive material chosen from conductive ink, lacquer or paste or equivalent. 
     
     
       41. The independent device according to claim 40, wherein the current leads have their conductivity improved by means of a second solid conductive material in electrical connection with the leads. 
     
     
       42. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein a transparent electrode comprises a thin transparent or substantially transparent layer of metal or of semiconductor of a group consisting of tin dioxide, indium oxide, mixed oxides of indium and tin and gold. 
     
     
       43. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises an opaque electrode which is flexible along or with its substrate. 
     
     
       44. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises an opaque electrode comprising a portion of conductive sheet formed from a homogeneous conductive material or a conductive material dispersed with or in another material comprising resins and binders. 
     
     
       45. The independent device according to claim 44, wherein the opaque electrode further comprises a layer of at least one conductive material dispersed in a resin or binder applied to a portion of conductive sheet in the form of a fluid composition comprising inks, pastes, lacquers or equivalent. 
     
     
       46. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises an opaque electrode comprising a portion of a layer of at least one conductive material dispersed in a resin or binder applied in the form of a fluid composition comprising inks, pastes, lacquers or equivalent to an insulating substrate in the form of a portion of a sheet which is impermeable or porous or perforated. 
     
     
       47. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device comprises an opaque electrode comprising a portion of a layer of at least one conductive material dispersed in a binder applied in the form of a fluid composition comprising inks, pastes, lacquers or equivalent to at least one layer of material having ionic electroconductivity. 
     
     
       48. The independent device according to claim 44, wherein the conductive material is chosen in a group consisting of carbon, graphite, metals and semiconductors. 
     
     
       49. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein internal electrical connections are at least partially obtained by application of associated patterns of layers of conductive material dispersed in a resin or binder in the form of a fluid comprising inks, pastes, lacquers or equivalent combined with layers or portions of insulating layers of varnish or equivalent. 
     
     
       50. The independent device according to claim 9, wherein the device is at least partially coated or impregnated or potted with an insulating and protective resin. 
     
     
       51. The independent device according to claim 50, wherein the insulating and protective resin is in silicon elastomers. 
     
     
       52. The elementary device according to claim 3, wherein the transparent electrode is supported by a transparent substrate. 
     
     
       53. The independent device according to claim 11, wherein the substrate is parallel and secured to the printed circuit board by means of a joint made in silicone elastomers. 
     
     
       54. The independent device according to claim 24, wherein the coordinated surface patterns are identical. 
     
     
       55. The independent device according to claim 25, wherein the coordinated surface patterns are identical. 
     
     
       56. The independent device according to claim 26, wherein the coordinated surface patterns are identical. 
     
     
       57. The independent device according to claim 45, wherein the conductive material is chosen in a group consisting of carbon, graphite, metals and semiconductors. 
     
     
       58. The independent device according to claim 46, wherein the conductive material is chosen in a group consisting of carbon, graphite, metals and semiconductors. 
     
     
       59. The independent device according to claim 47, wherein the conductive material is chosen in a group consisting of carbon, graphite, metals and semiconductors.